Home >Pregnancy>8 Things I Packed in My Hospital Bag That I Seriously Should Have Left at Home

8 Things I Packed in My Hospital Bag That I Seriously Should Have Left at Home

by Suzanne Zuckerman on July 25, 2017

Suzanne Zuckerman

About the Author

Suzanne Zuckerman is a writer and editor who has worked at InStyle, People and the New York Post. She has written for Self, New York Magazine, Women's Health, Yahoo and Prevention, among others. She is a mom to two young children.

About the Blog

WhatToExpect.com supports Word of Mom as a place to share stories and highlight the many perspectives and experiences of pregnancy and parenting. However, the opinions expressed in this section are those of individual writers and do not reflect the views of Heidi Murkoff of the What to Expect brand.

Stocksy

When I was preparing to have my first baby, my anxiety level was somewhere between a high schooler on the eve of taking the SATs and a dog during July 4th fireworks. In fact, when I went into labor, I was in such deep denial that I insisted my early contractions were a stomachache caused by a bad Caesar salad. So, looking back, it makes sense that my XXL (yes, it was that huge) duffel was stuffed as though my husband and I were going on a wilderness trek, where we would return with a newborn who was headed straight to an evening at the opera. But, not surprisingly, I barely dug into my sizable stash after giving birth. Here are the things that I really should have just left at home — and that you, too, should consider not packing in your hospital bag to lighten your load. (Bonus: You’ll also feel way less panicked when your still-asleep partner forgets it to begin with!)

1. Fancy baby clothes and receiving blankets

I have friends whose two-year-old STILL sleeps with the striped cotton hospital blanket she had when she came home. Yes, a few comfy baby outfits are necessary (and don’t forget socks!) — but those size N jeans and sparkly headband will never see the light of day.

2. Makeup

Right after I delivered each of my babies, I was delirious — with happiness, hormones, exhaustion and a boatload of drugs. I would not have trusted myself in that state as a makeup artist. Lip balm and mascara? Sure, go crazy. Contouring concealer for photo ops? Hard pass.

3. Contact lenses

My vanity gave way to reality about two seconds after I begged for the epidural. After my first kid was born, I was more focused on learning how to breastfeed than seeing more than three feet in front of me. Besides, everything I cared to look at was snuggled six inches from my face anyway.

4. Snacks

I’ve so enjoyed reading about packing lollipops and gummy bears to combat dry mouth, but my labor and delivery nurse wouldn’t even allow me to have ice chips like women munch in the movies! What did I eat the minute my baby was born? A stinky, oily Italian sub from the corner bodega (a.k.a. 10 months worth of the deli meat I’d been denied).

5. Entertainment

Some moms (or at least this mom) are so full of Pitocin, they barely register whether the TV is on in their hospital room. Having a baby — and hanging out with my husband — was plenty entertaining on its own. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to throw a magazine or book in your hospital bag, but, honestly, I never got around to reading my latest issue of The New Yorker before or after I gave birth.

6. Underwear

I’m struggling here with how to make a confession that will be helpful to you while simultaneously maintaining my dignity. Suffice it to say, I hoarded hospital-provided undergarments for their clinical efficiency (ditto the little squeezy warm-water bottle that made postpartum bathroom business bearable). It would be weeks (or months? who can really say?) before I went near my Cosabella boy shorts.

7. A robe

True story: When I finally got admitted to a delivery room to have my first child, I threw up — everywhere. It was a normal reaction to the one-two punch of anxiety and hormones that can come with labor. (Who knew? Not me!) I wore a hospital gown for the remainder of my stay, including when I attended a breastfeeding class down the hall from my room. The majority of women in there were topless for obvious reasons. So save the robe for home, where, I promise, you will wear nothing else for a long time.

8. A nursing bra

See above re: toplessness. Also, nursing bras are excellent when you’re a pro on the go, but breastfeeding a newborn is a near-constant effort, whether or not your milk comes in during your hospital stay. The nursing bra ends up becoming a sweaty spandex band that slides up and down your torso. As with all things postpartum: comfort is key.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.